The 25 Best Power Forwards In NBA History

25. Horace Grant

Horace Grant provided Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen with the required muscle to capture the Chicago Bulls’ first three-peat in the early 1990s. The 6-foot-10, 215-pound Grant, obtained by the Bulls out of Clemson with the 10th pick in 1987, was voted to the association’s All-Defensive second team on four instances. The bespectacled enforcer, an All-Star in 1994, averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 boards and 2.2 assists over 1,165 games. Grant retired shortly after the Los Angeles Lakers were upset by the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.

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24. Antawn Jamison

Many pundits wrongly dismiss Antawn Jamison as an underachieving journeyman. The Toronto Raptors chose the 6-foot-9, 235-pound Jamison out of North Carolina with the fourth selection in 1998. Granted, the extremely decorated Tar Heel didn’t fully meet all of his ample expectations. Conversely, Jamison did make two All-Star teams and he secured the association’s Sixth Man of the Year honor in 2004. Jamison, who averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 boards and 1.6 dishes over 1,083 games, retired in October 2014.

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23. Larry Johnson

“Grandmama” was a badass on the court. Larry Johnson, selected by the Charlotte Hornets out of UNLV with the first choice in 1991, flourished from the get-go and procured the Rookie of the Year award. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Johnson proceeded to make two All-Star squads and was voted onto the 1993 All-NBA second team. Alas, chronic back pain minimized “Grandmama’s” explosiveness and forced him to become a role player. A 32-year-old Johnson, who averaged 16.2 points, 7.5 boards and 3.3 assists over 707 contests, prematurely retired on October 10, 2001.

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22. Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Wallace was an obnoxious loudmouth whose impressive play on the hardwood spoke for itself. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound Wallace, drafted by the Washington Bullets out of North Carolina fourth overall in 1995, made four All-Star squads. Moreover, “Sheed” was a key member of the Detroit Pistons’ team that upset the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. Wallace, who averaged 14.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks over 1,109 games, permanently shelved his high-top sneakers on April 17, 2013.

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21. Shawn Kemp

Shawn Kemp was a sensational ballplayer throughout the 1990s. At his peak, the 6-foot-10, 230-pound Kemp made six All-Star squads and three All-NBA second teams. Unfortunately, at the turn of the millennium, the “Reign Man’s” career got derailed by substance abuse, weight problems and nymphomania. Kemp, who averaged 14.6 points, 8.4 boards and 1.2 blocks over 1,051 games, never secured steady employment in the association following the 2002-2003 campaign.

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20. LaMarcus Aldridge

Following a somewhat tough rookie campaign as a Trail Blazer, LaMarcus Aldridge bloomed as a ballplayer in the Rose City. In fact, the 6-foot-11, 260-pound Aldridge has made six All-Star squads and two All-NBA second teams. The second overall pick in the 2006 draft has averaged 19.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over 873 contests in the association. However, to cement his legacy as an all-time great power forward, the 33-year-old Aldridge must contribute to a title-winning team.

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19. Tom Chambers

Tom Chambers soared over defenders throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The San Diego Clippers obtained the 6-foot-10, 220-pound Chambers out of Utah with the eighth selection in 1981. The four-time All-Star averaged 18.1 points, 6.1 boards and 2.1 dishes over 1,107 games. Although unlikely, primarily because he scored in excess of 20,000 points, Chambers has a chance to gain residency in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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18. Chris Webber

Regrettably, Chris Webber will always be remembered for calling the ill-fated timeout that may have cost the Michigan Wolverines an NCAA title on April 5, 1993. In actuality, the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Webber was a standout college ballplayer who matured into a borderline Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. “C-Webb” was a five-time All-Star who made three All-NBA second teams. Webber, who averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 boards and 4.2 dishes over 831 contests, had his No. 4 jersey retired by the Sacramento Kings in February 2009.

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17. Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol is a multi-talented Spaniard who became an adored figure in La La Land. The 7-foot, 250-pound Gasol, taken by the Atlanta Hawks with the third pick in 1998, is a six-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA second teamer. However, dismissing personal accolades, Gasol’s greatest accomplishments occurred when he helped the Lakers capture back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. The 38-year-old Gasol, who has averaged 17.3 points, 9.3 boards and 3.2 assists over 1,200 contests, has an outside chance to eventually earn a spot in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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16. Kevin Love

Fans and analysts alike often express contempt for Kevin Love’s play on the hardwood. Such criticisms notwithstanding, the 6-foot-10, 251-pound Love is a five-time All-Star who has procured a spot on two All-NBA second teams. Most importantly, Love was a critical part of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ squad that shocked the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 finals. The 30-year-old Love, who has averaged 18.3 points, 11.3 boards and 1.3 dishes over 639 contests, is now the Cavaliers’ primary option.

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15. Chris Bosh

The Toronto Raptors acquired Chris Bosh out of Georgia Tech with the fourth pick in 2003. Although the 6-foot-11, 235-pound Bosh excelled north of the border, he became a champion in South Beach with the Heat. The “Boshasaurus” is an 11-time All-Star who was a pivotal member of the Heat squads that captured titles in 2012 and 2013. The 34-year-old Bosh, who is presently a free agent, has a decent chance to procure a place in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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14. Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is an extraordinary athlete and topflight power forward. The Los Angeles Clippers chose the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Griffin out of Oklahoma with the first selection in 2009. Since leaving Norman, the 2011 NBA slam dunk contest champion is a five-time All-Star who has been voted to three All-NBA second teams. The lone blemish on Griffin’s résumé remains his failure to help a squad procure a Larry O’Brien Trophy. The 29-year-old Griffin, who has averaged 21.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 533 contests, is thriving in his inaugural season as a Detroit Piston.

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13. Dave DeBusschere

Dave DeBusschere grooved in Motown as a Piston. However, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound DeBusschere became an icon in Gotham as a Knick. The “Big D,” an eight-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive first teamer, was a critical part of the Knicks squads that won titles in 1970 and 1973. For his vast achievements, DeBusschere was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and he became a Hall of Famer in 1983.

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12. Jerry Lucas

“Dr. Memory” never forgot how to dominate on the hardwood. Jerry Lucas, a two-time AP Player of the Year at Ohio State, was a rebounding machine for the Cincinnati Royals and San Francisco Warriors. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Lucas was a seven-time All-Star who earned a spot on three All-NBA first teams. Furthermore, albeit in a complementary role, Lucas helped the New York Knicks outclass the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals. “Dr. Memory,” a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time squad, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980.

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11. Dolph Schayes

Dolph Schayes was a relatively diminutive guy who managed to tower over defenders in the paint. The 6-foot-7, 195-pound Schayes was voted to 12 All-Star squads and he made six All-NBA first teams. A dominant rebounder, the New Yorker led the Syracuse Nationals over the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1955 NBA Finals. Schayes, who averaged 18.2 points, 12.1 boards and 3.1 assists in 996 games, became a Hall of Famer in 1960.

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10. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis has the potential to ultimately sit atop this list. In the meantime, the 6-foot-10, 253-pound Davis has already made five All-Star squads and three All-NBA first teams. “The Brow,” selected by the New Orleans Hornets out of Kentucky with the first choice in 2012, is also a lockdown defender who has topped the association in blocks on three occasions. The 25-year-old Davis, who has averaged 23.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists over 413 contests, is a once-in-a-generation talent.

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9. Dirk Nowitzki

At his peak, Dirk Nowitzki was borderline unstoppable on the offensive side of the floor. The 7-foot, 245-pound Nowitzki has made 13 All-Star squads and four All-NBA first teams since debuting with the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. Of greater significance, the “German Race Car” led the Mavericks to championship gold in 2011. The 40-year-old Nowitzki, who has averaged 21.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists, will ultimately secure a permanent place in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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8. Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman is the premier rebounder in the annals of professional basketball. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Rodman was a seven-time NBA All-Defensive first teamer who grabbed seven rebounding crowns. More importantly, “The Worm” was a vital piece of three Chicago Bulls’ championship teams and two Detroit Pistons’ title squads. Rodman, who averaged 7.3 points, 13.1 boards and 1.8 assists over 911 contests, entered the Hall of Fame on August 12, 2011.

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7. Elvin Hayes

“The Big E” was huge on the hardwood. Elvin Hayes, selected by the San Diego Rockets out of Houston first overall in 1968, made 12 All-Star squads and three All-NBA first teams. Furthermore, although in a somewhat diminished role, Hayes helped the Washington Bullets overcome the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1978 NBA Finals. “The Big E,” who averaged 21.3 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over 1,303 games, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990.

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6. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett altered the NBA’s landscape both on and off the court. A 19-year-old Garnett, a basketball prodigy at Farragut Career Academy High School in Chicago, decided to forgo college and was subsequently drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth pick in 1995. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Garnett played swimmingly in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and developed into a 15-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA first teamer. Less than 11 months after getting traded to the Boston Celtics, “The Big Ticket” led the storied organization to a championship on June 17, 2008. Garnett, who averaged 17.8 points, 10.0 boards and 3.7 dishes over 1,462 contests, is a surefire future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

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5. Bob Pettit

Bob Pettit competed in 11 All-Star Games and won its MVP on four occasions. The 6-foot-9, 205-pound Pettit, who was taken by the Milwaukee Hawks out of LSU with the second choice in 1954, also made 10 All-NBA first teams. “The Bombardier from Baton Rouge” averaged 26.4 points, 16.2 boards and 3.0 dishes over 792 games in Brew City and St. Louis. Pettit was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.

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4. Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale is a beloved Boston Celtic and member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. The 6-foot-10, 210-pound McHale, chosen by the Celtics out of Minnesota with the third selection in 1980, made seven All-Star squads. Furthermore, the tenacious defender was an invaluable piece of three Celtics championship teams. McHale, who averaged 17.9 points, 7.3 boards and 1.7 blocks over 971 games and was twice named the association’s Sixth Man of the Year, became a Hall of Famer on October 2, 1999.

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3. Charles Barkley

In spite of his portly physique, Charles Barkley is one of the preeminent players in the annals of basketball. The Philadelphia 76ers drafted the 6-foot-6, 252-pound Barkley out of Auburn with the fifth pick in 1984. Barkley matured into an 11-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA first teamer. The 1993 MVP averaged 22.1 points, 11.7 boards and 3.9 assists over 1.073 contests. Accordingly, Barkley was enshrined in the Hall of Fame on September 8, 2006.

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2. Karl Malone

Even if the “Mailman” didn’t always deliver on Sundays, Karl Malone was an all-time force on the hardwood. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound Malone, who the Utah Jazz took out of Louisiana Tech with the 13th pick in 1985, was a 14-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA first teamer. Although the “Mailman” never brought gold to Salt Lake City, he’s a basketball legend who dominated in the paint. Malone, who averaged 25.0 points, 10.1 boards and 3.5 dishes over 1,476 contests, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 13, 2010.

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1. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is the premier power forward in NBA history. The San Antonio Spurs chose the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Duncan out of Wake Forest with the first overall pick in 1997. Duncan, the 1998 Rookie of the Year, flourished from the outset and became a 15-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA first teamer. Moreover, the lockdown defender led the Spurs to five Larry O’Brien Trophies and was the Finals’ MVP on three occasions. Duncan, who averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists over 1,392 games, is a surefire future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

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